Study: Pseudoephedrine can improve performance of runners and other athletes
Posted February 8th, 2007 at 11:02 AM by Megan Hueter
Section: Nutrition, Supplements
Pseudoephedrine (commonly sold over the counter as Sudafed in 30mg or 120mg) is an over-the-counter drug derived from the plant ephedra which is used to relieve nasal and sinus congestion.
New research from a 2006 study published in Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise found that pseudoephedrine decreases run times by 2.1% in a group of 1500-m runners.
Pseudoephedrine is derived from the plant genus ephedra, also known as ma huang, which has over 40 different species and can be broken down to nearly 30,000 different tones, most found in the plant’s stem. Ephedrine, a well-known herbal weight-loss supplement, is also derived from ephedra.
Ephedrine accounts for 90% of alkaloid content (meaning it generates the biggest physiological response in the body), whereas pseudoephedrine accounts for only 27% alkaloid content. In order to understand the impact of pseudoephedrine, it is necessary to understand the ethical debate over its original source, ephedra.
Ephedra has been used in ancient Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years as a decongestant, a treatment for asthma, colds, allergies and other related diseases. However, the supplement marketing industry has taken the use of ephedra to another level. Ephedra has been marketed as an ergogenic aid (meaning it can enhance performance) in athletes worldwide. Chinese companies alone export nearly $13 million worth of ephedrine annually.
The physiological responses of ephedra are complex, in that the plant stimulates both the central nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system. The central nervous system is stimulated at the hypothalymous in the brain, creating an anoretic response, meaning ephedra tricks the brain into thinking it is full or gratified, which helps with weight loss. The sympathetic nervous system is also stimulated by increasing the release of norepinephrine, causing and increase in cardiac output, an increase in heart rate, as well as an increase in blood pressure. Further, it relaxes the smooth broncial muscle in the lungs, which is why it is commonly used as a treatment for upper respiratory infections and asthma-related symptoms.
Performance enhancement claims have been made indicating that ephedra/ephedrine can lead to increased energy, increased time to exhaustion, increased power output, increased running speed and most importantly, ephedra is said to aid in weight loss. However, a 2003 study by the Journal of the American Medical Assocaition which looked at all relavent clinical trials on ephedra indicated no performance enhancement and only a moderate weight loss of about 0.9 kg/mo which was usually not sustained for the long-term. Performance enhancement was not seen, changes only indicated in trials which combined ephedrine and caffeine, which is illegal in the United States and can be very harmful to the athlete.
Ephedra has many adverse side effects which include nervousness, tachycardia (irregular fast heart beats), insomnia (inability to sleep), psychosis, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), hypertension (high blood pressure), seizures, myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke and even death. The 2001 death of Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Korey Stringer at age of 27 sparked media attention due to him taking Ripped Fuel for weight loss purposes the morning of his death. The 2003 death of basketball pitcher Steve Blescher after taking Xenadrine also caused much media attention.
Due to these and other related events, ephedra was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003 for over the counter sale, but was amended in 2005, when a federal judge ruled that the FDA was wrongly regulating the supplement as a drug and not a food. Although not sold in the United States in doses over 25mg, ephedra is often purchased by athletes on the internet through international markets. Further, ingredients such as country mallow and bitter orange are “ephedra-free alternatives” which are in many products of health-food stores, and these alternatives have often shown the same type of risks.
Ephedra itself has been banned for competition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), NASCAR, the NCAA, NHL, NBA and Major League Baseball for well over a decade. However, as indicated before, pseudoephedrine is a little bit different, containing only 27% alkaloid content (which causes a physiological response) as compared to ephedrine’s 90% alkaloid content.
In January 2004, pseudoephedrine was removed from the banned substance list by the International Olympic Committee and placed on the monitoring program due to lacking evidence to support it as a ergogenic aid. The NCAA does not ban pseudoephedrine and instead lists it as a “related compound” which is “not banned.”
Compared with ephedrine (which has many dangerous adverse side effects), when used in recommended doses, side effects of pseudoephedrine are minor and uncommon.
The study performed by Hodges and colleagues in 2006 examined the effect of 2.5 mg/kg supplement of pseudoephedrine ingested 90 minutes before exercise (1500-m run). The results showed a 2.1% decrease in run times with no side effects. Although 2.1% is not very significant numerically, runners everywhere understand the practical significance of even fractions of a second. For Olympic athletes, it could mean the difference between a gold and bronze medal.
Although no studies have been performed in distance runners, the effects of the 2006 study could be the beginning of a new wave of supplementation for athletes of various distances and sports. More research needs to be performed on the topic, but until then, pseudoephedrine is not banned by the NCAA or the IOC, and could result in an unfair advantage that one athlete could have over another. Careful attention should be taken on studies of this nature, because supplement industries could take these findings to a dangerous level. This is precisely why it is always necessary to check the labels of supplements and understand what it is you’re putting into your body.
Research sources and for more information:
Chen, Long. Chinese Medicine’s Great Waste of Resources. Chinadialogue. January 15, 2007.
Hodges K., Hancock K., & Currell K. Pseudoephedrine enhances performance in 1500-m runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38:2, 329-33, 2006.
National Institutes of Health. Ephedra and Ephedrine Alkaloids for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance. Office of Dietary Supplements.
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: alkaloid content, Ephedra, Ephedrine, FDA, food and drug administration, Korey Stringer, norepinephrine, pseudoephedrine, Steve Blescher, sudafed, supplement
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The Final Sprint
Hi I was interested in some information if you were able to inform me that would be great. The information that I am trying to find is the physical nerve damage that; Pseudoephedrin, Ephedrine, Ephedrin has on distance athletes such as central nervous deformity, decrease in running ability, strength loss, and so on what ever information you have would be great anticipated
April 19th, 2007 at 8:48 amWhy would anyone want to use this stuff to run faster. Its terrible on your body. If you read this thinking it will help you, please realize the damage it can cause.
June 4th, 2007 at 7:19 pmI am a swimmer who has used psuedoephederine for a cold during competition and you can certainly feel the difference. It gives increased power energy and reduces respiratory fatigue. In swimming, these two effects are huge. It should certainly be banned.
January 1st, 2008 at 8:18 pm